Take a peek inside the biggest parties this week

Whoever said things are quiet in early January was wrong. This week was huge – filled with with sport, fashion, music and travel aficionados out in full force. Here are some of the best and most stylish events that went down during the week.

Nova’s Red Room with Sam Smith at the Sydney Opera House House

Overlooking spectacular Sydney Harbour at the Sydney Opera House, hundreds of Nova listeners, guests and genuine fans watched in awe as British superstar Sam Smith brought the house down at Nova’s Red Room. In his second appearance in the Red Room, the crowd roared as Sam Smith took to the stage and kicked off his set with his hit single I’m Not The Only Onefollowed by Midnight Train and One Last Song.

In between his songs Sam Smith mesmerised the audience as he shared personal, heartfelt stories about how his love-life and his struggles with stardom have contributed to his music. Everyone was upstanding as Sam Smith kicked it up a notch with Like I Can and then the audience fell silent and watched on in awe as he sang Burning, Palace, Latch and Pray.

In what is being described by guests as “magical”, Sam Smith closed out his set with Stay With Me and Too Good At Goodbyes. The red carpet was buzzing with local celebrities including, Australian actress Jessica Marais, Home & Away’s Ada Nicodemou and Sam Frost, smoothfm & Channel Seven’s Melissa Doyle, Richard Wilkins and Channel Ten’s Natarsha Belling, along with Erin Holland, Georgia Love and the Stenmark brothers. Hosted by Nova’s Greg Burns, Sam Smith was the second artist to perform in Nova’s Red Room for 2018 following on from British legend, Liam Gallagher, who performed last week in an intimate show at The Lair in Sydney’s Metro Theatre.

Louis Vuitton men’s spring/summer 2018 pop-up

Louis Vuitton unveiled the men’s spring/summer 2018 collection as an exclusive pop-up space launched at North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. New leather goods appearing for the first time in Australia along with special limited items and a complete selection of accessories, watches, shoes, ready-to-wear, and even surfboards, will all be available. They are simply exquisite. This collection delivers bold colourations, Hawaiian motifs, outdoor details, and the spirit of travel amongst beautiful islands.

Louis Vuitton welcomed guests to the Club to celebrate the collection launch with the Louis Vuitton Kombi Van – so cool – a specially fitted vehicle, showcasing the Louis Vuitton-devised Hawaiian pattern, set against the back drop of Bondi Beach. The event was attended by Australian influencers including Nicole Warne, Nathan Jolliffe, Yan Yan Chan, Sarah Ellen, Carmen Hamilton, Pip Edwards and Gabriel Scanu. Flight Facilities, also wearing Louis Vuitton DJ’d at the event and it was catered for by The Caterer Sydney. The pop-up will be at Westfield Bondi Junction until February 4, 2018.

George Michael exhibition

Landing in Sydney from the sunny palms of LA, world-renowned American music photographer Chris Cuffaro brought his edge to Sydney with his Greatest Hits: George Michael Exhibition at Black Eye Gallery in Darlinghurst. In case you are unfamiliar with his work, Chris has shot the likes of Iggy Pop, Michael Hutchence, Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Elvis Costello, No Doubt, Fiona Apple, Henry Rollins and Soundgarden.

His touring Greatest Hits exhibition headed to Oz to showcase the 18 months Cuffaro spent touring with the late star. In a landmark turnout (you seriously could not see the floor at one point) 350+ guests dawned on the Darlinghurst gallery to celebrate along with full Channel 7 crew who used Caffaro’s images for the recent Michael Hutchence documentary, including producer Mark Llewellyn; Tiffany Farrington; Eden Bristowe; George Michael’s dear friend, Faith producer and now Becky and Peach salon owner Rebecca Davies; stylist Mars Marsanic; Mark Cavanagh; celebrity chef Justin North and Soho House co-founder David Fischer, who all threw back some back some Young Henrys and Maison Charlotte beverages.

Crown Resorts Chief Operating Officer, Peter Crinis said the Crown IMG Tennis Party is a highlight event for Crown every year: “With so many of the world-class tennis players staying with us, it makes sense that we partner with IMG to celebrate on the eve of The Australian Open,” he told the crowd.

Pretty Beach House wins mega travel award

Pretty Beach House is celebrating with the announcement it has been awarded the highly-coveted 2018 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List Award. Pretty Beach House is only one of three hotels to receive this award in Australia. The hotel is perched high on the Bouddi National Park escarpment at the little seaside hamlet of Pretty Beach, just outside Sydney.

The property has four beautifully appointed pavilions all boasting stunning interiors and surrounded by the sights and smells of nature. The rarity of a four room hotel assures guests of privacy with the property sleeping a maximum of four couples enjoying an all-inclusive offer. According to Condé Nast Traveler, “This is our list of the best hotels in the world, the ones we keep coming back to time and again. It’s our love letter to the hotels that make us feel sexier, smarter, flirtier…that make us walk with a little more swagger and remind us who we want to be and how we want to live. They’re the hotels we return to time and time again, and daydream about long after we’re home.

They’re the best in the world.” The sophisticated guesthouse is run by passionate hoteliers Brian and Karina Barry, owners of sister property, Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa. Both have a long and successful hotel history. Read more about the list here.